IFFCO begins construction of Food Processing Units in Sikkim

The Indian farmers fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) joint venture Sikkim IFFCO Organics Limited recently has started the construction work of food processing units in Sikkim. The project is to be completed by 2021.

Highlights

Under the project two Food Processing Units are to be constructed at a cost of Rs 50 crores. These food processing units are to give a boost to the organic farming in Sikkim. With the help of these units, SIFCO is to begin Ginger trading through its agencies in Italy, Germany and other European countries. These units are to deal with Organic products alone. It will also promote Green Himalayan economy.

What is the plan?

The integrated food processing units will initially process turmeric, Ginger, cardamom and buckwheat. This is because these crops are the main production crops of Sikkim and have a huge export potential. In order to boost the export of these Agricultural Products India has already signed a memorandum of understanding with USA, Croatia and European Union.

IFFCO

It is one of the biggest cooperative societies in India. It was founded in 1976. Today there are 36,000 Indian Cooperative Association with the organisation. The main objective of the organisation is to increase the income of farmers by increasing their crop productivity.

Sikkim an organic state

Sikkim became the first organic state in India in 2016. India ranks number one in number of organic farmers and number 9 in terms of area under organic farming.

Organic farming in India

the major organic exports of India are Sesame, soybean, flax seeds, rice, medicinal plants and pulses.  These are mainly exported from Mizoram, Assam, Manipur, Nagaland. The export destinies of Organic products are UK, USA, Italy and Eswantini.

Government initiatives to promote organic farming

The mission organic value chain development for the Northeast India was launched under the national mission for sustainable agriculture. It was launched in 2015 for the North eastern states. It aims to develop certified Organic products.

Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana was launched in 2015 under National mission of Sustainable agriculture. It aims to promote soil health by adopting organic farming.

Month: Current Affairs - October, 2020